EEL

The EEL is an installation that makes legible the transformative presence of architecture. It explores the relationships of physical/material environment and human sensorial responses beyond the visual. In the context of extreme micro-climate of San Francisco Bay, the EEL, like a living creature, detects and responds to environmental conditions. Meanwhile, it also senses park users proximity, activating an electric heat coil that transfers warmth to the top surface material, which continues to release heat for human comfort. The EEL, not unlike the sea creature responds to environmental stimuli by emitting light and color intensity relative to its shifting external conditions. The design team executed all stages of the fabrication process. 1″ thick layers of acrylic were CNC milled to create the negative form of the EEL. The layers are held together with silicone. Discreet fasteners allow the top layers to be removed for access to internal wiring.